Grandpa's Blue Riband (unknown date)

[vermonter]

Hello all! This is my first post but I have enjoyed reading the forum so far. The story goes like this: I recently picked up pipe smoking, and have been borrowing a Savinelli from a friend of mine. Then while home for thanksgiving, I find out my grandfather was an avid pipe smoker and my mom has his pipe collection in the attic. After sorting through a box of Meerschaums and a box of briars, I picked a couple briars that I liked. Most names I had not heard before. I picked up a Kaywoodie super grain, and a Comoy's, which I knew little about at the time. The more I learn about the Blue Riband the more thrilled I am to have one! It is gorgeous and you can see it has only been smoked a few times(there's still bare wood at the very bottom of the bowl). The word "jackpot" comes to mind.
Here's my question: I need help dating the Blue Riband. The Kaywoodie I'm fairly positive dates to between '35 and '38, and I have seen conflicting information on dating Comoy's pipes. This pipe has the "london made" football stamp which seems to be very early (30's or somewhere around there) but the "Comoy's" stamp is sans serif, with the C larger than the other letters, printed straight, with no apostrophe. I have scoured the internet and have not seen nor heard of any other pipe with this combination of markings (or for that matter, even this particular Comoy's stamp). It looks like it has the 3 inlay Comoy's C.
Sorry for the long post but I would love to know more about this pipe and am hoping someone can help. Thank you!
(click here for pictures)

 

[vermonter]

I added a link to the photos as they didn't show up when I tried to embed them. If the link doesn't work please let me know. (Photos are here)
rothnh, thank you for your link. I have actually read that article, and also the Comoy's post on Pipedia. Both seem to conflict themselves regarding this particular pipe, especially the Comoy's stamp and "london made" seem to refer to different time periods. Very interesting.

 

[hfearly]

As far as I can tell, the COMOYS with a larger C, sans serif and no apostrophe would date this piece to a period between 1938 and 1950. Regardless, you have a spectacular pipe in your hands there! Great find!

 

[kcghost]

Blue Ribands are some of the most collectable pipes in the hobby.

 

[numbersix]

Welcome to the forums - that pipe is a great find for sure. Congrats!

 

[stanwellman]

As a possible suggestion: visit www.apassionforpipes.com and ask the author of the blog, Neil for help in dating the pipe. May just work, or he may point out other available resources... have fun with that...

 

[flmason]

Congratulations on having a pipe that your grandfather smoked. That pipe will be special to you regardless of how many more you acquire over the years.

 

[vermonter]

Thanks for the idea stanwellman, I did email Neill. I will let you know what he says.
And actually, I am beginning to think the pipe is unsmoked. I read an old Comoy's catalog that said they pre-charred their bowls. There is a faint tobacco smell but it was in a box full of well-smoked briar pipes for twenty years. The bowl is lightly but evenly blackened. Also, pipe cleaners through the stem come out totally clean, and there's a spot in the heel of the bowl, which is still totally bare (yellow) briar. Should I try to get a little pipe mud in the bottom to avoid burnout?
I am thinking I might smoke the Kaywoodie until I am slightly more experienced, so I can appreciate the Comoy's. If I have the privilege to break in a 70-85 year old pipe I want to make sure it is treated well...

 

[ssjones]

What a treasure. A Blue Riband like that is a coveted piece and that one is indeed mint. Enjoy smoking and owning that pipe, pass it down to your kids one day.